Refocusing will be W. Lax's key to victory

They are ready to refocus on playing lacrosse. This is the mentality echoed through the hearts and souls of the coaches and players of the Penn women's lacrosse team, as they enter tomorrow's game against Harvard. the Quakers (1-2, 1-0 Ivy League) welcome the Crimson (3-1 , 0-1) to Franklin Field at noon. It is their second Ivy League game of the young season. Penn continues Ancient Eight play with a game in which it can accomplish a number of goals. First and foremost, tri-captain Curran Kelly has been recovering at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after contracting a case of viral pneumonia. The thoughts of their fallen captain were quite apparent in the Red and Blue's last game. The Quakers tried to go out against Temple, ranked seventh nationally, and focus on playing the game, but it was apparent in the score (13-5) and in their play that their minds were focused on their ill captain and friend. Unlike last game, Kelly has begun to make a recovery and the doctors now appear to have a handle on how to treat her virus. With the good news now in the Penn players' minds, they should be able to put their thoughts on hold for a short while and concentrate on winning the game. "This is a special team this year," said Penn coach Anne Sage. "All the girls are really close away from the field, so when one of them is sick or hurt the others all feel her pain." Last year, the Quakers narrowly defeated Harvard, 9-8. It was the first time Penn had defeated Harvard since Ivy League play began in 1979. This year's game commences at almost exactly the same point in the season as last year's. Penn is entering the game having played two nationally ranked and perennially strong teams, Loyola and Temple. Last year, however, the Red and Blue were easily dismissed by the Greyhounds, 15-6, while this year the Quakers managed to stay competitive with Loyola in a game where the final score, 10-4, did not represent the competitiveness of the contest. "We have learned about ourselves and the team so far this season," Sage said. "I think one of the strongest parts of our team is our versatility and our willingness to out and play against any team. I am confident with the experience that we have gained from our previous games that we will be able to beat Harvard." The Quakers have also showed that they are willing to play at the intensity level needed to win games. With the exception of the game against the Owls, Penn has remained competitive and given itself a chance to win. "We enter each game with a feeling that we want to win," Quakers sophomore goalkeeper Sue Back said. "I think that we enter each game with the same intensity level and we will definitely show up ready to defeat Harvard." Penn will need to play a control game against Harvard on the defensive side, but will need to raise their veracity on offense. With the exception of the Cornell game, the Quakers have only managed to score an average of 2.3 goals per half. Harvard, which is currently ranked 18th in the nation, has achieved success through a strong defensive front. In only one game this year have the Crimson allowed their opponent to score more than eight goals, and that came in a loss to No. 8 Princeton. "When it comes to playing against any Ivy opponent both teams are always playing with a lot of emotion, and I think from playing the tougher teams we have become tougher ourselves," said Sage, who has coached Penn for 26 years. "After hearing the good news about Curran, the team will be definitely focus more on the game and play with their fearless attitude. The girls just want to get out there and play." The emotions will definitely be at an all-time high this weekend as the Quakers attempt to repeat their win of a year ago.